[!IMPORTANT] CRITICAL POKA-YOKE RULE: NEVER hand-author or hand-edit
.github/agents/*.agent.mdor.github/workflows/*.mdfrontmatter. ALL generation MUST go throughscaffold_github_agent.py. To change tools, engines, or triggers, re-run the scaffolder with the appropriate flag — do not edit the files by hand.
Follow the create-agentic-workflow skill workflow to convert a local skill into a GitHub-native agentic configuration (Target A, B, or C).
Inputs
$1(or--skill-dir) — path to the existing skill directory to convert--target— target type:A(Custom Copilot Agent.agent.md),B(GitHub Agentic Workflowgh-aw), orC(CI/CD Smart Failure agent)--name— custom name for the generated agent/workflow--engine— engine to use:copilot(default),claude, orcodex--tools— comma-separated tools to allow (e.g.github,terminalor""for none)
Steps
- Resolve Input Skill: Confirm the source skill directory contains a valid
SKILL.md. - Progressive Discovery (Interactive Interview):
- Target Mode: Ask the user to select Target A, B, or C. Smart-default Target B (gh-aw) if the user says "runs in GitHub".
- Trigger Event: Define the events (push, pull_request, schedule, issues, release) or schedule details.
- AI Engine: Select
copilot(default),claude, orcodex. - Safe Outputs / Write Operations (Target B): Define allowed write actions (e.g.
add-comment,create-issue,add-labels). - MCP Servers & Tooling (Target A): Identify which tools/MCP servers to grant permission to.
- Recap Gate: Present a summary of the configuration. Ask the user: "Does this look right? yes / adjust". Proceed only on confirmation.
- Scaffolder Execution: Run
scaffold_github_agent.pyto write the target files. - Validation & Compilation Gate:
- Run
validate_github_agent.pyto verify schema compliance. - Accuracy Caveat: For Target B, since
gh-awis in public preview and frontmatter schemas may drift, ALWAYS attempt to compile usinggh aw compileafter generation and treat compile errors as the source of truth over templates.
- Run
Output
Generated agent metadata, prompt companion files, workflow YAMLs, or markdown configurations depending on target selection:
- Target A:
.github/agents/<name>.agent.md(Main agent config).github/prompts/<name>.prompt.md(System prompt stub)
- Target B:
.github/workflows/<name>.md(Only file produced by scaffolder. Note: the companion.github/workflows/<name>.lock.ymlmust be generated by runninggh aw compile, not the scaffolder)
- Target C:
.github/agents/<name>.agent.md(CI/CD Smart Failure persona config).github/workflows/<name>-agent.yml(Runner workflow file)
Edge Cases
- Target B Compilation: If
gh-awCLI is not installed locally, output warning and instructions forgh extension install github/gh-aw. - Target C Kill Switch: Ensure the custom Kill Switch phrase appears verbatim in both the
.agent.mdbody and the workflow runner's grep condition, along with the Escalation Trigger Taxonomy. - Tools Frontmatter Difference: Highlight that Target A uses standard GitHub agent frontmatter keys (e.g.,
tools: [github, terminal]), NOT the Claude-style frontmatter keys (e.g.,permissions.allowedTools) generated bycreate-sub-agent.